Tennis table



Y L. B. GATIZ 2,203,780

TENNIS TABLE Filed Sept. 15, 133B Patented June 11, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE z,2o3,7s- 1 TENNIS TABLE v Leo new, Chicago, Ill. I Application September 15, 1938', Serial No. 230,134

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H I 1 Claim, My invention relates to tables for playing ping pong or miniature tennis games in the home, and" my main object is to provide a table for this pur pose which is easily put together or taken apart. .A further object of the inventionis to provide a ,table of the above character which becomes rigid and upright when setup, so as tohave Sta-- An additional objet of theinvention is to construct the supporting structure of the table with a peculiar and highly efficient assembly formation, whereby to combine alinement, strength,

adjustability and compactness.

Another object of the invention is to include in the novel table simple and adjustable means for supporting the net over the same.

An important object of the invention is to design the novel invention along lines of neatness and utmost simplicity, in order that it may present a good appearance and be economical to produce.

With the above objects in view, and any others which may suggest themselves from the description to follow, a better understanding of the invention may be had by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which- Fig. 1 is an elevation of the novel table in the assembled form;

Fig. 2 is a bottom view;

Fig. 3 is a fragmental perspective view of portions of the table in separated relation; and

Fig. 4 is a detailed section on the line 4-4 of Fig, 2.

In the development of apparatus for games in the miniature for indoor use, it is essential that the apparatus be of a nature to be simple, easily handled and inexpensive.

must be made in sections in order to be easily handled or compactly stored, and it has therefore been my intention to so design a table of this kind that it may present as many advantages as possible.

In accordance with the foregoing, the novel table is designed with two major units, that is, the top and an understructure to support the Thus, a table for ping pong or indoor tennis, while of considerable size,

same. Thus; the top is divided at the center as indicated at H] toform adjoining sections II and I2. Each of the sections has lateral skirt sections l3 connecting with a terminal skirt section. 14; also, the underside of each section receives blocks l5 inwardly of the skirt portions I3 and blocks Hisimilarly related to the skirt portion l4. Each section also has a crossbar H on the underside a short distance from the inner edge. One section has a block [3 on theunderside at the center; the block extending inwardly from the related crossbar ll, while the other section has three suchblocks 19 in spaced relation and simi larly located in respect to the corresponding crossbar. The length of the blocks 18 and I9 is such that they extend beyond the section carrying them to underlie the adjacent edge of the adjoin ing section when the table sections are assembled as Fig. 2; and the medial block i9 is in staggered relation to the block 3.

The unit for supporting the table top is generally in the form of an oblong frame with legs at the corners. Thus, the frame is composed of side rails 25 and end rails 26, the latter receiving the legs 21 along their inner sidesxat the extremities of the rails. The legs are glued or otherwise rigidly fastened to the end rails 26, while the side rails 25 are formed separately from the end structures, as clearly shownin Fig. 3.

In order that the side rails may be assembled with the end structures for the formation of the understructure, the legs 21 are formed with side brackets 28 presenting upward tongues 29 in spaced relation to the legs and adjacent terminal edges of the end rails 26. The vertical slots 30 thus formed are calculated to provide a smooth sliding fit for the end portions of the rails 25 when these are deposited in the brackets 28. Such end portions also carry pairs of spaced and outwardly extended lugs 3|. The contiguous faces of these are flared downwardly to form a tapered slot 32 in each instance. The tongue 29 has its end faces 33 tapered upwardly, so as to form a joint with the lugs 3i when the corresponding end portion of. a side rail 25 is assembled with the end structure 28 in the manner indicated in Fig. 1. The understructure is thus formed, requiring no nails or other fastening means or the use of force or tools of any kind.

In the application of the table top to the understructure, it is only necessary to place the top sections in the usual position over the frame underneath, the lugs l5 and it of the top serving to space the. same properly from the sides and ends of the frame by abutting the latter as indicated in Fig. 2. The bars I! of the top are somewhat shorter than the spacing of the side rails 25, so as to freely assume the position of spacers for these and supplement the blocks IS in the I alinement of the top with the sub-frame.

It is customary to place standards at the sides of the table for the suspension of a net across the center thereof. For the present purpose the standards are in the form of metal strips 35 having inward bottom bends 36. In order that these standards may be applied to the novel table, the skirt portions I3 thereof are horizontally slotted as indicated at 40 on both sides of their central meeting line, so that the bends 36 of the stand- The bracket is either of metal or has a metal insert through which is threaded a bolt 39. Thus, after the standards 35 have been placed and adjusted for the proper suspension of the net (not shown), the bolts 39 may be tightened to, render the net support rigid. j

- It will be' evident from the above description that I have provided a tennis table which;is in two major units, these being easily separable and the supporting unit so taken apart that a com.- pact bundle of the table may be made for storing, packing or shipping the same; yet when the table has been set up as described, the rigid end supports are firmly united with and by the side rails, so as to form a stable and firm understructure. The taper-joints formed at the corner assure properlysquared-up relation of the which these extend, as well as the plurality of points of alinement between the top and the understructu're, furnish an even support for the top sections. It is significant that no nails or other fastening means are required to assemble the table, and that the work may be done by anyone easily and quickly, since no skill, undue effort or tools of any kind are required. Also, it is an easy matter to raise the top sections and take apart the frame underneath when the table is to be put away, making the same handy in this respect. Constructed along the-lines described, it is not necessary to use, heavy or massive parts forthe table, and the latter may thus be made light without sacrificing strength. Finally, it is evident that few parts enter into the construction ofthe' novel table, rendering the same inexpensive. toproduce.

While I have described the invention along specific lines, various minor changes and refine- .ments may be made without departing from the principles'of the invention, and I desire to consider all such changes and refinements as coming within the scope, and: spirit of the appended claim 7 :I;claim:i 1 a An understructure for table topsor the' like,

comprising a pair of end units and a pair of side rails adapted to connectthe same, each end unit being composed of an end rail having a leg in-' to preventlongitudinaldisplacement of said side rail in said slot e LEO B. GATZ.1 

